LARTS 391 — The History of American Social Movements, 1954-2016

3 credits SpringLisa Andersen

This American history course will introduce students to 20th-century social movements, starting with the African-American civil rights movement and campaigns by organized labor. We will trace conservative, liberal, and student endeavors, asking: When do movements emerge, and what is their relationship to each other? What are the techniques used to build a mass organization, and how do movements coordinate their large numbers? What distinguishes a social movement from a political party or special interest group? Which movements have been the most successful at achieving policy objectives? Students will consult both historical documents and modern scholarship, and will have the opportunity to complete a research paper that draws upon archival materials.